Wild Cherry Salad set #1

I like salads probably more than most guys - mix of French heritage and being a gardener and forager.  So, when I began carving what was to be a spoon (on the left) and found a tiny worm hole I decided to make a salad set instead.  

Such little worm holes change the wood in beautiful and surprising ways.  In fact, a lot of carvers specifically search for such wood.  So, I thought this would be a nice way to show off the variation since the scoop on the right has such perfectly straight grain. Both pieces came from the same log, by the way.

From a practical perspective, a salad set makes a lot of sense.  You see, most people make salads the wrong way.... Salad comes from an ancient word meaning a mix of greens with salt.  If you have spent time int he South, you may know that some of us still use the term referring to the edible leaves of Poke.  It is called "poke salat" in the English tradition, but is not to be eaten raw, as a salad.  Poke should be cooked because it is slightly toxic when raw.

Perhaps, this is the cause of the confusion.  You see, most Americans mix their salad in the kitchen (or buy those horrible pre-mixed bags of salad) and put the dressing on then, as they would cooked vegetables.  By the time they eat it, the greens are not as crisp and fresh as they should be, and the dressing is in the bottom of the bowl.  Salad should be tossed at the table, in a big bowl, and dressed just before plating.  To do that, you need a salad set or tongs, or you can even use your hands, but it is much nicer to have a hand carved salad set.  This design allows easy tossing, plating and the flat edge of the scoop allows you to scrape up all the dressing and herbs and drizzle them over the top.

This set is very much meant to be used.  If it is, you may develop an entirely new appreciation for the art of the salad.  By the way, vinaigrette is intended to be mixed at the table, as well.  In our era of bottled salad dressings, most folks have never experienced a real vinaigrette as it should be. Oil and vinegar don't stay mixed for long. A pinch of mustard creates an emulsion, but it must be done at the table.

I think whoever buys this these will enjoy using them.  They are sealed with Walnut Oil.  As always, my woodwork is sustainably sourced from trees that are storm damaged or that must be thinned. Each piece is entirely hand made in the ancient greenwood tradition. I use only a hand saw, a small axe and knives. Each piece comes with a handwritten, numbered and signed document. These are heirloom quality spoons that, if properly cared for, will last for generations.

Price $50 with free shipping in the continental US. Click here to buy now.